DESCHAMPS SNUBS CAMAVINGA AS FRANCE NAME WORLD CUP SQUAD.

France coach Didier Deschamps has unveiled his squad for the upcoming World
Cup, with Real Madrid midfielder Eduardo Camavinga the most high-profile omission
from a 26-man list that blends experience and fresh faces.

Robin Risser earns a first senior call-up after an impressive campaign with Lens,
while Crystal Palace striker Jean-Philippe Mateta is included ahead of Randal Kolo
Muani, stepping into the spot left by Hugo Ekitike, who is sidelined with a ruptured
Achilles tendon.

Deschamps explained the decision to leave out Camavinga, pointing to a difficult
season for the midfielder.

“I would imagine it is a huge disappointment for him, but he has had a tough season
with injury as well,” he said.

Lucas Chevalier also misses out after losing his starting place at Paris Saint-
Germain and suffering an injury setback, despite being in early contention for
selection.

\Mateta, who has earned three caps since his debut last October, gets the nod for his
different attacking profile, according to Deschamps.

There were no other major surprises, with 10 players retained from the squad that
reached the World Cup final in Qatar, while Kylian Mbappe, Ousmane Dembele, and
Michael Olise headlines a strong attacking unit.

France opens their campaign against Senegal on Tuesday, June 16th, at 15:00 WAT at
MetLife Stadium.